The below link is to an interesting, but somewhat rambling and lengthy, article. It is seemingly authored by an Aussie Greek and at the bottom of the article certainly acknowledges a group which appears to include suchlike.

Though some of it is not so relevant (e.g. the Greek immigrants’ experience in Australia), it certainly covers various interesting aspects of the Hydra experience, viewed through both “visitors” eyes and “locals” eyes. It makes mention of: the artistic colony phenomenon; passing parade of celebrity identities; Leonard’s significance; literary connections, particularly from an Australian perspective & relating to Hydra’s “Australia House” (the Johnston/Clift residence); aspects of the island’s tourism and cultural festivities; Hydra identities; Richard Branson’s stymied development plans etc.

It's somewhat ironic to have the title question take its place here on the Forum, but I've heard it said in the past by a regular visitor to the island that Leonard's place and reputation here doesn't necessarily engender amongst locals the same glowing acclaim or fascination that we Cohenites may endow it with... perhaps even that they think we fans are all a bit touched by the same sun-stroke Leonard has jokingly referred to having there!

Cheers,
Andrew

'I cannot give the reasons
I only sing the tunes
The sadness of the seasons
The madness of the moons'
~ Mervyn Peake ~

Have now received the following directions: "From the port walk through to Douskos taverna and take the lane out of the top corner passing Christina and Manolis taverna on the left. Take second left lane after christina's and you will walk into the square which is called the salty well."

At Leonard's concert in Sydney on his first Australian tour, he came and said he wanted to 'dedicate his first Australian tour to the memory of George Johnston and Charmian Clift... who taught me how to write...'

I mean, one question of the article "How aware of Greece were these writers?" you have to ask. How aware of Grece were all of them, also Leonard Cohen?

How is it possible to live as a poet and writer in Greece during 1950/60 and not to mention Mikis Theodorakis, who not only came from the aegaen island Chios but who fought for Greece, saw, experienced, got imprisioned and tortured for his fights for liberation and unity and who composed and wrote rich, deep and healing music and lyrics full of awareness of Greek!

I mean in the middle of at that time happening Greek tragedys concerning all deep questions of
poetry the artists of Hydra seemed to circle round themselves.

Theodorakis was much more than dancing -Alexis Zorbas-Music.

Were these artists more than tourists on Hydra although living there for years like Cohen described himself in Cuba?